As the world’s most famous opera house, Teatro alla Scala is a mecca for music lovers the world over. What many don’t realize is that visitors can experience Milan’s La Scala in more ways than one costly night sitting on a red-velveteen chair listening to Verdi. Of course La Scala is synonymous with opera, and …
After a week in Milan, we felt we’d seen everything. We’d visited the Duomo in daylight and at night; we’d had aperitivi at several trendy bars; we couldn’t afford, but we didn’t care to shop at Gucci and Prada. It was an awkward period of limbo, one that came after what seemed like a week …
Because Milan’s city center is relatively small and holds a wealth of hotels at all price points, there is no excuse for staying in a hotel that doesn’t meet your needs and expectations. From budget lodging to five-star apartments, Milan’s hotels are within easy walking distance to its most important sights. Hotel star ratings are determined by a public standard in …
The Lombardy region is a culinary web, with porcini mushrooms from the Alps, braseola beef from Valtellina, frog legs from Mantua, Cantello asparagus from the Padana Plains valleys, and Luertis hops from Franciacorta. Milan is at the center of the web; its cuisine has been described in extremes, from avant-garde to rustic. Some have mistakenly …
More than any other city in Italy, Milan, with a city proper population of 1.3 million and metropolitan area population of 4 million, is a thriving, international, cultural, commerce center. While Rome is the place to see what remains of the old Roman civilization, Milan is where you’ll find sophisticated, modern Italy. Cutting-edge fashion boutiques, trendy restaurants, world-acclaimed performing arts venues …
The Italian word “ossario” (ossuary) can be traced back to the Latin word osseus, which means boney, and this is, quite literally, exactly what Italy’s ossario are. A resting place for the dead, they have been called crypts, catacombs, and tombs, but none of these words quite get the point across. Ossario are usually …
Aperitivo is Italy’s happiest hour: For the price of a single drink, bars throw in an extensive buffet of traditional and exotic snacks. Usually beginning around five and continuing for two to three hours, aperitivo is one of my favorite Italian customs, and Milan is one of the best places to find it. Whether pausing …